Scrub typhus: a frequently overlooked cause of acute renal failure

Acute renal failure associated with scrub typhus infection is not rare as previously thought. The possibility of scrub typhus should be borne in mind when patients present with fever and varying degrees of acute renal failure, particularly if an eschar exists, along with a history of environmental exposure in an area like Taiwan, where scrub typhus is endemic. Prompt diagnosis and the use of appropriate antibiotics can rapidly alter the clinical course of the disease and prevent the development of serious or fatal complications. To illustrate the above point, this study reports 3 cases of scrub typhus associated with acute renal failure. They were seen at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in a 2-year interval. Case 1 was referred from district hospital with clinical features of multiple organ dysfunctions, including shock, fever, acute respiratory failure, acute renal failure, and acute hepatitis. Case 2 was admitted with the chief problems of shock, fever, acute renal failure, and DIC. Case 3 visited our outpatient clinic due to fever, maculopapular rash and acute renal failure. In all these patients, the diagnosis was confirmed using immunofluorescence techniques, which showed that Orientia tsutsugamushi had an IgM titer of 1:80 or greater. Notably, despite having varying degrees of acute renal deterioration, the patients responded very well to doxycycline therapy and recovered completely. Additionally, a total of 4 similar cases of scrub typhus associated with acute renal failure were reviewed from the past literature.     

Two cases of acute renal failure associated with non-typhoid Salmonella infection

Two cases of acute renal failure associated with non-typhoid Salmonella infection are reported. Case 1: A 49-year-old man was admitted with the complaint of severe watery diarrhea and oliguria. Stool culture revealed Salmonella typhimurium. Laboratory data showed hyponatremia and acute renal failure. Hemodialysis was performed 3 times and renal failure was improved. Case 2: A 63-year-old woman was admitted with complaint of severe watery diarrhea, nausea, and fever. Stool culture revealed Salmonella E group. Septic shock appeared after admission, and anti-shock therapy was immediately carried out. Acute renal failure was cured without hemodialysis, even though multiple organ failure had occurred concomitantly. We discussed the management of patients with Salmonella infection, especially those with acute renal failure.     

Acute transverse myelitis following scrub typhus: A case report and review of the literature

Context: Scrub typhus is an acute febrile disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. The disease can usually involve the lungs, heart, liver, spleen and brain through hematogenous dissemination. However, very rarely, acute transverse myelitis in the spinal cord develops from scrub typhus. We present a case of acute transverse myelitis following scrub typhus with a review of the literature.

Findings: A 66-year-old male visited a hospital for general myalgia, mild headache, and fever in October. He was noted to have thick, black papule skin on his abdomen, which was highly suggestive of scrub typhus. To confirm the diagnosis, O. tsutsugamushi antibody titers were examined and detected highly in serum by an indirect fluorescence antibody assay. Doxycycline, the standard treatment for scrub typhus, was administered. However, after seven days of treatment, he rapidly developed weakness in the right leg, paresthesia in both lower limbs, and voiding difficulty. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed lesions with high signal intensity involving the spinal cord at the thoracolumbar junction. Paraparesis gradually improved following steroid pulse therapy for five days. At one-year follow-up, he could walk without cane.

Conclusions: Orientia tsutsugamushi causes scrub typhus, which can affect not only the brain, but also the spinal cord. Although acute transverse myelitis develops rarely from scrub typhus, this should be considered as differential diagnosis in patients of fever with neurological deficit in endemic areas.     

珠海市88例恙虫病临床特征分析

目的：分析珠海市恙虫病的临床特点,提高临床诊断及治疗水平。方法回顾性分析珠海市88例恙虫病患者的临床资料,探讨其临床特点。结果65例患者（73.86%）发病前有草地/树林接触史。临床表现主要有发热（100%）、头痛（63.64%）、乏力（39.33%）、咳嗽（35.23%）,淋巴结肿大（47.73%）、肝脾肿大（35.22%）、皮疹（29.55%）及特异性焦痂/溃疡（95.45%）等。外周血白细胞计数多正常（71.59%）,可伴有嗜酸性粒细胞减少（78.41%）、血小板减少（38.64%）,合并肝损害多见（87.5%）。共有84例患者送检外斐试验98例次,变形杆菌OXK凝集反应阳性效价12例次,阳性率12.24%。氯霉素、米诺环素、多西环素、克拉霉素治疗均有效。结论恙虫病临床表现多样,常累及多个系统,焦痂/溃疡为其最具诊断价值的特异体征,需仔细查体以免误诊。外斐试验阳性率低,不能单独做为诊断依据。氯霉素、四环素类及大环内酯类抗生素治疗效果好。     

恙虫病临床特点分析

目的研究恙虫病的临床特点。方法分析恙虫病患者的临床和实验室检查资料。结果 17例恙虫病患者中出现皮肤焦痂及溃疡者15例（88.2%）,部位分别在腰、胸、下腹、腹股沟、骶尾及肛周、腋下、阴囊等处;数量多为1个,平均直径为1.2cm,表面干燥呈黑色,不伴疼痛及瘙痒,焦痂脱落后形成浅溃疡。伴有焦痂附近浅表淋巴结肿大者12例（70.6%）,伴有皮肤出疹者11例（64.7%）,首诊时未发现焦痂患者占58.8%（10例）。出现肝功能异常患者9例（52.9%）,伴支气管炎和肺部感染患者5例（29.4%）,心肌酶谱异常者4例（23.5%）,其他表现包括脾肿大、血小板减少、尿潜血阳性、尿蛋白阳性、腹泻、大便潜血阳性等。结论恙虫病患病临床表现多样,常见多系统受损。皮肤焦痂是本病的重要特征,其发生率高、形态独特,但发生部位较散在而隐蔽,体检若不仔细则易漏检和误诊。皮疹和焦痂附近浅表淋巴结肿大是也是本病常见表现。本病临床表现多样、易复杂化。加强认识、认真查体是防止该病误诊的重要手段。     

恙虫病临床表现联合实验室检测积分诊断体系的建立

目的探索建立临床表现联合实验室检测诊断恙虫病的积分体系。 方法分析2015年临床确诊的16例恙虫病患者临床表现和血常规、降钙素原、肝功能、肾功能、心肌酶谱和凝血功能检验结果。设立恙虫病临床表现联合实验室检查的积分系统,将临床表现分为1类临床表现（发热、焦痂,每项积2分）、2类临床表现（皮疹、野外生活史,每项积1分）,3类临床表现（呼吸系统如咳嗽、咯痰等;消化系统便血、腹胀、恶心等;心血管系统如心悸、胸闷等;神经系统如嗜睡、谵妄等,积0.5分）;将白细胞总数、嗜酸性粒细胞计数、降钙素原定位1类实验室证据（每项积1分）,将肝功能、肾功能、心肌酶谱、凝血功能异常定为2类实验室证据（每项积0.5分）,汇总患者临床表现和实验室检查的积分。对比分析抗-恙虫病东方体检测和巢式PCR检测恙虫病东方体结果与积分系统的相关性。探索根据临床表现联合实验室检查临床诊断恙虫病的可能性。 结果抗-恙虫病东方体阳性率为93.75%（15/16）,焦痂巢式PCR检测恙虫病东方体检测阳性率为100%（4/4）。全部恙虫病患者临床表现联合实验室检查积分系统≥ 8.5分者,其抗-恙虫病东方体阳性和（或）焦痂巢式PCR检测恙虫病东方体的阳性。 结论通过建立恙虫病临床表现联合实验室检查积分体系,有利于在无抗-恙虫病东方体检测或PCR检测恙虫病东方体条件下临床诊断恙虫病。     

RENAL FAILURE IN VIBRIO VULNIFICUS INFECTION

Vibrio vulnificus infection with septicemia is a life threatening disease in the immunocompromised hosts. Renal involvement has not been documented. We reported herein 8 patients with V. vulnificus septicemia. All were immunocompromised hosts. Four patients had cirrhosis of the liver, 3 were heavy alcohol drinkers and one had systemic lupus erythematosis. Presenting symptomatology included fever, chills, leg pain and skin rash. Renal failure was observed in 6 patients. Four patients died shortly after admission. Two survived with clinical course of tubular necrosis. Renal failure is therefore common in V. vulnificus infection. This should be brought to attention, and vigorous antibiotic treatment is required. The disease may be confused with leptospirosis, scrub typhus, malaria and other forms of sepsis which also present with renal failure.     

Renal failure in vibrio vulnificus infection

Vibrio vulnificus infection with septicemia is a life threatening disease in the immunocompromised hosts. Renal involvement has not been documented. We reported herein 8 patients with V. vulnificus septicemia. All were immunocompromised hosts. Four patients had cirrhosis of the liver, 3 were heavy alcohol drinkers and one had systemic lupus erythematosis. Presenting symptomatology included fever, chills, leg pain and skin rash. Renal failure was observed in 6 patients. Four patients died shortly after admission. Two survived with clinical course of tubular necrosis. Renal failure is therefore common in V. vulnificus infection. This should be brought to attention, and vigorous antibiotic treatment is required. The disease may be confused with leptospirosis, scrub typhus, malaria and other forms of sepsis which also present with renal failure.     

Acute kidney injury in scrub typhus

Background

We studied the urinary abnormalities and acute kidney injury (AKI) as per RIFLE criteria in scrub typhus.

Methods

A prospective case record-based study of scrub typhus was carried out from January 2009 to December 2010 in a tertiary hospital in South India. Patients were followed up until renal recovery or for at least 3 months after discharge. Univariate, chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of AKI.

Results

Scrub typhus was diagnosed in 259 patients. Urinary abnormalities were seen in 147 patients (56.7 %) with 60 patients (23.2 %) having AKI. All AKI patients had urinary abnormalities and 17 (28.3 %) were oliguric. Applying RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease) criteria, R, I, F were present in 23 (38.33 %), 13 (21.67 %), and 24 patients (40 %), respectively. Creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was raised in 33 patients (55 %) and hemodialysis was required in 6 patients (10 %). The case fatality rate in this study was 2 out of 259 (0.77 %), both having AKI and others recovering clinically. Significant predictors of AKI were tachycardia [odds ratio (OR) 2.28], breathlessness (OR 2.281), intensive care requirement (OR 2.43), mechanical ventilation (OR 3.33), thrombocytopenia (OR 2.90) and CPK >80 U/L (OR 1.76) by univariate analysis and intensive care requirement (adjusted OR 2.89) and thrombocytopenia (AOR 2.28) by multivariable logistic regression.

Conclusion

Scrub typhus should be part of the differential diagnosis of acute febrile illness with AKI. AKI in scrub typhus is usually mild, non-oliguric, and renal recovery occurs in most patients. Rhabdomyolysis may be contributory to AKI. Thrombocytopenia and intensive care requirement are significant predictors of AKI in scrub typhus.     

Renal failure in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired hemolytic disorder characterized by a membrane abnormality of red cells, and characterized by two major clinical features of gross hemoglobinuria and diffuse venous thrombosis. In Japan, the present report records the first case of acute renal failure complicating PNH with treated by hemodialysis and was almost completely reversible. Case: A 41 year-old woman was admitted for high fever (39.8 degrees C), dyspnea and clinical signs of a respiratory infection. She was started on Cefotax 1,000 mg 3 times daily. She subsequently developed acute renal failure and which treated by hemodialysis and was almost completely reversible. Following treatment of her renal failure, respiratory infection and anemia, she initially made good progress and was discharged.     

Investigation of etiologies for acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis in 5 patients

We experienced 5 cases of acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis during the last two years and investigated those etiologies. Diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was established by the detection of elevated serum creatine phosphokinase, myoglobin, aldolase, myoglobinuria as well as by the clinical course. The respective underlying illness of the 5 cases were grand mal seizures, infection (high fever), heat stroke, diabetes mellitus with hyperosmolar nonketotic coma and cerebral infarction treated by barbiturate. In this investigation, however, any single cause was not enough as the etiologies of rhabdomyolysis. There were multiple factors responsible to rhabdomyolysis in each case, such as hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, shock, arteriosclerosis, etc. Some cases could not be classified as traumatic or non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. Thus, in one case, acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis induced by the combination of grand mal seizures and serum potassium/phosphate depletion. 2 cases recovered without hemodialysis. 3 cases died in multiple organ failure, included a case treated by hemodialysis. We conclude that acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis induced easily by numerous diseases and early diagnosis is recommended.     

急性下肢缺血的治疗策略：附62例报告

目的:探讨急性下肢缺血(ALI)的有效治疗方式。方法:回顾性分析2011年3月—2014年9月收治的62例ALI患者的临床资料。病因包括急性动脉栓塞,急性动脉血栓形成,炎性血管病变以及主动脉夹层,所有患者均有不同程度的ALI表现。根据ALI类型或患者情况,分别行开放手术(取栓、内膜剥脱、补片成形、动脉转流),介入手术(置管溶栓、球囊扩张、支架植入)、复合手术或单纯药物治疗。结果:治疗成功48例(77.4%),截肢13例(21.0%),其中炎性血管病变患者截肢率高达77.8%,死亡2例患者(脑梗死、肾功能衰竭各1例);另1例因夹层致病的患者死于心衰。55例患者随访3~42个月,期间33例无明显症状,正常生活,20例仍有不同程度间歇性跛行或麻木,长期服药控制,2例死于心脑血管意外。结论:早诊断、早处理是ALI治疗的关键,如何选取合适的治疗方式是取得最佳疗效的重要环节。     

53例急性间质性肾炎临床病理分析

目的 分析急性间质性肾炎（acute interstitial nephr-itis,AIN）的病因、临床表现及肾脏病理改变,探讨联合糖皮质激素治疗AIN的效果及预后.方法 回顾性分析我院自2004年1月至2012年12月经肾活检确诊的53例AIN患者的病因、临床表现、肾脏病理改变及联合糖皮质激素治疗的疗效等.结果 肾活检病例7 965例,确诊为AIN的53例（占0.67%）,其中11例（占20.75%）合并基础肾小球疾病.分析53例AIN的病因,药物相关性急性间质性肾炎（DAIN）32例（占60.38%）,其中抗生素导致的AIN 14例,占DAIN的43.75%.感染导致的AIN 10例（占18.87%）.主要的临床表现包括急性肾衰竭49例（占92.45%）、镜下血尿33例（占62.26%）、贫血31例（占58.49%）、蛋白尿31例（占58.49%）、白细胞尿17例（占32.08%）、发热14例（占26.42%）,少尿14例（占26.42%）、皮疹4例（占7.55%）、关节痛3例（占5.66%）、嗜酸细胞增高2例（占3.77%）.病理表现示肾小管间质水肿伴炎症细胞浸润,肾小管损伤轻重不等,合并有基础肾小球疾病者有肾小球损伤.共有16例（占30.19%）患者行血液透析治疗,除1例患者在肾活检结果出来前死亡外,其余52例患者均予糖皮质激素治疗.治疗好转出院时32例（占60.38%）患者肾功能恢复正常,16例行血液透析治疗的患者10例肾功能好转摆脱透析,5例维持性血液透析治疗,1例死亡.结论 AIN常见的病因为药物和感染,主要临床表现为非少尿性急性肾衰竭、血尿、贫血、蛋白尿等,联合糖皮质激素治疗效果较好.     

Acute renal failure in visceral leishmaniasis.

We describe the case of a 33-year-old male patient with an acute visceral leishmaniasis (Leishmania donovani) associated with an acute renal failure. The clinical manifestations were dominated by fever, oliguric renal failure and hepatic alterations. Serum C3 and C4 fractions of complement were decreased, and a renal biopsy demonstrated an interstitial nephritis with no glomerular involvement. The clinical course was favorable with recuperation of renal function without sequels.     

Massive small bowel bleeding caused by scrub typhus in Korea

A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with scrub typhus based on fever, eschar, skin rash and a markedly elevated serum tsutsugamushi antibody and doxycycline was started. Five days later, hematochezia developed and multiple small bowel ulcerations with hemorrhage were seen on colonoscopy. Despite intensive therapy, the massive hematochezia worsened and the distal small bowel was resected. Multiple ulcerated lesions were identified pathologically as vasculitis caused by scrub typhus. This is the first reported case of pathologically proven small bowel involvement in scrub typhus infection.     

Acute renal failure due to malignant lymphoma infiltration

We present two cases of renal lymphoma revealed by acute renal failure (ARF), which remains a rare clinical entity. Case 1 was a 29-year-old man with an ARF. The diagnosis was a primitive kidney immunophenotype B lymphoma. The patient died after three courses of chemotherapy due to rapid spread lymphoma. The second case was a high-grade renal lymphomatous infiltration, with an unusual computer tomography image of two large kidneys compressing the stomach. Death happened early before initiating therapy. In both cases the diagnosis has been established by renal pathology. Early diagnosis is a key component of therapeutic success, however, the rapid spread of lymphoma worsened renal and vital prognosis.     

Acute renal failure associated with rhabdomyolysis in acute Q Fever

The clinical presentation of Q fever is polymorphic and non-specific, and it may be presented as an acute or chronic disease. Renal complications of acute Q fever such as acute glomerulonephritis are not uncommon. Acute renal failure induced by rhabdomyolysis in acute Q fever has until now never been reported in the literature. We presented a case of acute Q fever associated by extreme rhabdomyolysis and consecutive acute renal failure. A male patient was treated with doxycycline and continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. After two weeks of treatment, the patient completely recovered kidney function, and there were no clinical abnormalities. Acute Q fever must be considered as a possible cause of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. The continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration may be effective, and it seems to be the treatment of choice in severe rhabdomyolysis and consecutive acute renal failure.     

青蒿琥酯联合血液净化治疗凶险型恶性疟二例并文献复习

目的探讨凶险型恶性疟的临床特征及青蒿琥酯联合血液净化治疗凶险型恶性疟的疗效。 方法对本院收治的2例凶险型恶性疟患者的临床资料、治疗经过及预后进行回顾性分析。 结果2例凶险型恶性疟患者均为境外输入,均有明确的疫区生活居住史,均为中年男性,主要临床症状为发热,病情进展迅速,快速出现神志改变,并伴随急性肝、肾功能衰竭及休克等。经给予青蒿琥酯联合血液净化并积极对症治疗,2例患者均治愈,其中1例间断使用血液净化治疗患者遗留肾功能不全,另1例患者出院时各指标均在正常范围;长期随访2例患者均未见再燃现象。 结论尽早诊断凶险型恶性疟,及时予以青蒿琥酯抗疟治疗的同时,早期、持续行血液净化治疗,并及时予以对症治疗,有利于凶险型恶性疟的预后。     

腹腔镜肾盂切开取石术联合切取法活检术在肾铸型结石合并肾盂癌诊治中的作用

本研究回顾性分析了2015年3月至2019年6月浙江大学医学院附属第二医院收治的3例肾铸型结石合并肾盂癌患者的病例资料,男2例,女1例。年龄52~81岁。既往均有腔镜碎石术史。3例术前检查发现肾盂或肾盂输尿管连接处可疑占位。3例均行腹腔镜肾盂切开取石术,术中切取占位组织活检,分别确诊为肾盂中-低分化鳞癌、浸润性尿路上皮...     

急性肾后性肾功能不全的原因及综合处理（附6例报告）

目的：探讨急性肾后性肾功能不全的原因及临床处理。方法：回顾性分析2003～2008年6例肾后性肾功能不全患者的临床资料,总结治疗方法。结果：上尿路梗阻原因5例,其中盆腔肿瘤3例,子宫颈癌2例,子宫内膜癌1例;孤立肾、输尿管结石1例;乙状结肠癌根治术后造成双侧输尿管下段压迫1例。下尿路梗阻原因1例,为BPH并发尿潴留。急诊行输尿管逆行双J管置入术3例,其中双侧置管1例,单侧置管2例;血液透析后行ESWL1例;B超引导下肾穿刺造瘘术1例;留置尿管肾功能恢复后行TURP术1例。6例患者梗阻解除后,3～10天肾功能有不同程度恢复。结论：导致急性肾后性肾功能不全的原因众多,以肿瘤、结石、前列腺增生进行性尿潴留为主。急诊处理原则为解除梗阻,改善肾功能。待患者肾功能恢复后,针对不同病因进行治疗。